Ramstein Air Base, Germany -- The 435th Construction Training Squadron housed more than 80 recently deployed members of the 435th Air Expeditionary Wing from Jan. 11 – 13, 2018, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
“We first found about the incoming Airmen earlier that same afternoon,” said Capt. James Bell, 435 CTS, training flight commander. “We had only a few hours to figure out the logistics for helping these guys out, including rooms, MREs for initial meals, clean beds, hot water, etc. Luckily we already have enough space for such an occasion.”
The deployed Airmen were stuck in transit at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, due to the "bomb cyclone," the winter storm that blanketed the east coast, temporarily shutting down travel.
“We couldn’t go anywhere until the weather cleared up,” said Senior Airman John Atlas, 435th AEW power production journeyman. “We were stuck in place for about 10 days before we could make our next stop in Germany.”
The 435th CTS normally trains for Silver Flag exercises. Such training incorporates contingency operations, including how to build and repair an air base.
Buses had been arranged by the AEW to get the Airmen back and forth to the Base Exchange on Ramstein for any necessary hygiene or uniform items before traveling down range.
“It was a great opportunity for us to come together and work with the AEW,” said Bell. “It would’ve been a logistical nightmare to have them all in different hotels. We were more than happy to help out any way we could.”